Electrical fuse block



Sept 9, 1958 E. J. LUCE 2,851,671

ELECTRICAL FUSE BLOCK Fi led Sept. so, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 1 ii //2 0- l9 /g Fla. 3 20 17 v 9 5 56,4 [g CLOK AfpAl 2o I INVENTOR. Eon/A120 J.LucE 5m aiaw w MZMZ ATTORNEYS Sept. 9, 1958 E. J. LUCE ELECTRICAL FUSEBLOCK 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 30, 1955 FIG. 7

INVENTOR. [bl/V420 J. Lucz:

BY 6 mm 1W ATTORNEYS.

Unite Sta ELECTRICAL FUSE BLUCK Application September 30, 1955, SerialNo. 537,852

7 Claims. (Cl. 339-450) This invention relates to a holder or block fora plurality of electrical fuses. The invention has to do with a deviceespecially adaptable for use in automotive vehicles whether passengercars or commercial vehicles although the invention may be employed instationary and other installations.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of unit constructionfor accommodating a plurality of fuses to the end that all, or at leastmany, of the electrical fuses used in an automotive vehicle, or in oneinstallation, may be grouped in one location. In accordance with theinvention the body of the device is preferably integrally formed ormolded as one piece of suitable dielectric material, so shaped andformed that it may be readily molded with simple dies and yet onecapable of receiving, with easy installation, electrical conductormembers, and for detachably receiving elements which cooperate therewithto hold electrical fuses properly in position in electrical contact withthe conductors. In disclosing the invention it is convenient to refer tothe wiring system of automotive vehicles although, as stated above, theinvention may be used elsewhere than in an automotive vehicle.

A structure made in accordance with the invention is shown in theaccompanying drawings:

Fig. l is an end elevational view with some parts cut away and someparts in section showing the body or block mounted upon a suitablepanel.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view with some of the fuses in positionand some omitted.

Fig. 3 is an end view of a cooperating fuse holder.

Fig. 4 is an end view of a different type of cooperating fuse holder.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of Fig. 2showing a fuse held in position.

Fig. 6 is a detailed view illustrating the manner of providing a contactwith the end of a fuse.

Fig. 7 is a rear elevational view of the block with the electricalconductors assembled therewith.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig.7 illustrating how a conductor is held in place.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9--9 of Fig. 7 showingelectrical conductors assembled with the body.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a conductor member.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 9 with the electrical conductors notassembled with the body.

Fig. 12 is a sectional View similar to Fig. 8 without the electricalconductor.

Fig. 13 is a rear elevational View of the body similar to Fig. 7 withthe electrical conductors omitted.

Fig. 14 is a front elevational view similar to Fig. 2 with theelectrical conductors omitted.

Fig. 15 is a top plan view showing the block or body with the electricalconductors omitted.

First considering the fuses and the cooperating fuse holders to be usedwith the block, it will be noted, considering Figs. 1 and 5, that thefuse l is an elongated es atent O "ice structure having a contact 2 atone end and a contact 3 at its opposite end. The fuse is positioned asshown in Fig. 5 in a retainer or receiver of dielectric material,preferably of suitable plastic. This receiver may be generally ofelongated form having a body 5 and an apertured bottom 6 through whichan insulated wire 7 extends. On the end of the exposed conductor of thewire is a contact member 9 slidably positioned in the retainer 5 andacted upon by a coil spring 10. The wire slides through the aperture inthe bottom 6.

The retainer 5 is open at one end so as to receive the fuse, and nearthe open end the retainer is provided with one or more projections. Theretainer shown in Fig. 3 has three projections 12 while the retainershown in Fig. 4 has two opposite projections 13. These projections areto cooperate with a bayonet type of connection with the body as willpresently be seen. The various retainers may be labeled to indicate thepurpose and type of fuse to be used. For instance, the lowermostretainer 5, as shown in Fig. 1, has indicia indicating that it is forthe electric clock with indicia indicating the size or type of fuse. Theintermediate retainer has indicia relative to the cigar or cigarettelighter. The retainers for the other fuses may be similarly providedwith indicia.

The block is arranged to receive a plurality of fuse retainers in adetachable manner. In considering the block and its structure, referencemay be had particularly to Figs. 2, 7, 13 and 14. It is preferably anintegral or one piece molding of dielectric material generallyillustrated at 15. The block shown is designed to receive twelve fusesalthough blocks may be made for a larger or smaller number of fuses. Thebody has two projections 16 and 17 on its back side and apertures 18extend through the body and through the projections. The projections areadapted to be abutted against a suitable supporting panel 19 and to besecured thereto by bolts 20. These projections are provided becausethere are times when the block must be mounted upon a panel which iscurved or perhaps has a projecting part as indicated in Fig. 15, andthus notwithstanding the curvature or non-flat form, the block may besolidly positioned.

The integrally formed block has three raised portions 22, 23 and 24.Each raised portion has a plurality of hollow formations formingcavities 25 which extend through the block. All cavities are indicatedby the single reference character 25. On the front side of the block thecavities are partially closed by a wall 26 defining an aperture 27. Thewall 26 of some of the apertures are provided with three notches 30(Fig. 14) while the wall defining other apertures 27 are provided withonly two oppositely disposed notches or recesses 31. As shown in Fig. 14the tier of apertures 27 located to the left of Fig. 14 are providedwith three notches 30. Thus these apertures will receive only the formof fuse hold-er shown in Fig. 3 with three projections 12. The remainingrecesses 27 with the two notches 31 will receive the fuse holder shownin Fig. 4. The purpose of this will presently appear.

The several projecting elements 22, 23 and 24 are spaced from each otheras shown in Figs. 9 and 11, thus to expose the material of the block asindicated at 34 which material lies preferably in a common plane. Thismaterial 34, which runs through the center portion of the block, isindicated at dotted lines in Fig. 15.

On the side of the intermediate portion 34 opposite the projections 22,23 and 24 are strip-like elements each indicated at 40. These, as shownin Fig. 13, are alternately disposed relative to the hollow portions 25thus to expose the cavities 25. The counterpart of one side of eachstrip-like portion 40 is provided at the ends of the hollow propections22, 23 and 24 as indicated at 4% and 40b. It will be noted, byconsidering Fig. 15, that the elements 40, 40a and 4% lie in a planeremoved from the center strip 34. Moreover, the ends of the strip-likeelements 40 and the counter-parts 40a and 40b extend beyond the sides ofthe elements 22 and 24 as shown in Fig. 14. The elements 49 and 40a and40b, at their ends, are provided with lateral projections 42. There arepro jections on both ends as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. All of theseprojections are given the same reference character since they areessentially the same structure in mul= tiple. Accordingly, projections42 lie in a pl'ane removed from the center part 34 and on the oppositeside of the center part 34 from the portions 22, 23 and 24, and thusappear to provide undercut or reentrant passages 45a, 45b, 45c, 45dbetween each pair of strip-like elements 40 and counter-parts 40a and4012. Actually the parts 42, as shown in Fig. 15 do not overlie thecenter portion 34. The parts 40 and the counter-parts 40a and 4012 arealso provided with inwardly disposed projections 47. These arepositioned at the location of the space between the elements 22 and 23.These elements 47 lie in the same plane as the projections 42 and,therefore, contribute to the apparent reentrant passageway 45. The blockis provided with recesses 50 to facilitate uniform curing of plastic, aswell as lightening the block and saving of material. As shown in Fig.13, two of the strip like elements 40 are discontinued in theirintermediate portion thus to provide a slot 52 interconnecting verticaltiers of cavities 25. The material 34, in the area between theprojections 23 and 24 is provided with a plurality of apertures 54 forpurposes which will presently be seen.

Electrical conducting elements are positioned in the apparent reentrantpassageways 45. One such element is shown in Fig. 10 and it may beformed of suitable electrical conducting material, such as brass. Theconductor element shown in Fig. 10 and indicated at 6012, is a strippreferably slightly curved as indicated, with depressions 61 therein andthe material may have an aperture therethrough in the bottom of eachdepression. The strip has projections 63 at its ends. The element fitlamay be slipped endwise with sliding manner into the apparent reentrantpassage 45a. When in position it engages the material 34 on one side butthe projections 42 and 47 overlie the strip on its opposite side and dueto its curved form it is slightly flexed when positioned and thus heldsnugly. Specifically the projections 42 overlie the projections 63. Asimilar strip 60b is positioned in the next reentrant passage 45b. Asimilar strip 600 is positioned in the next reentrant passage 45c and afourth strip 60d is positioned in the fourth reentrant passage 45d. Thestrip 6% may have an extending end 65 for connection to an electricalconduct-or and the strip 60a has an extending end 66 constituting aterminal for connection to an electrical conductor. A connector strip 68positioned transversely of the other strips extends through the passage52 and rivets 69 are applied through the apertures 54 in the body, theapertures 62 and through corresponding apertures in the strip 63. Thus,the strips 601'), 60c and 60d are in electrical connection with eachother and may be connected to a single conductor connected at 65. Thestrip 60a is electrically disconnected from all other strips. The crossstrip 68 securely holds the other strips from displacement.

When assembled the projections 63 of the several strips may be slightlyexposed as shown in Fig. 2 but their ends underlie the projections 42.When a fuse is placed in a retainer as shown in Fig. 5, the retainer isthen passed through one of the openings 27 with the projections on theretainer passing through notches in the members 22, 23 or 24 and thenthe receiver is turned on its axis to disalign its projections from therecesses, and then a bayonet type connection is made. In this action thecontact 3 of a fuse (Fig. is urged by the spring into electrical contactwith a contact member which, as Fig. 5 is viewed, is the contact strip60a. The fuse conductor is often soldered to the end contacts 2 and 3 at4. the center thereof, and providing depressions 61, particularly withthe aperture therein, the pressure of the engagement is around theperipheral edge of the contact 3 instead of at the center where theremight be a spot or a projection caused by the soldering. It is for thisreason that the contact 9 is similarly recessed or concaved.

In an automotive vehicle some accessories or electrical equipment areconnected through the ignition switch of the engine and some areconnected for use independently of the engine ignition switch. Forexample, the electric clock, the cigar lighter, and the interior lightsmay have their fuses positioned for contact with the member 60a (Fig. 2)and the holders therefore have the three projections 12 and the socketsfor the three recesses 30. Again, for example, the radio, the heater,and perhaps the instrument lights, and other things, are operable onlywhen the ignition switch of the engine is turned on and these may beserviced by fuses connected into apertures for engagement with thestrips 601), 60c and 60d. Suffice it to say that a conductor line is tobe joined at 65, and the conductors of the several fuses in contact withthe strips 60b, 60c and 60d extend to their respective electricaldevices or lights. Similarly, a conductor is to be applied at 66 for theother services.

The block shown in the drawing is formed with contacts 7t and '71 whichare for connection to a conductor leading to a flash indicator, such asa turn signal, and the thermostatic flashing device may be incorporatedin the body, some of the parts thereof being indicated at 72.

The body or block shown herein is of a size as to receive twelve fuses.With the use of such a block all of the fuses of an automatic vehiclemay be conveniently compactly located in one position. Any one of thefuses may be easily and quickly replaced by merely turning its holder 5to align the projections thereon with the recesses therefor so that theholder may be removed, the fuse replaced and then the holder reinsertedin position. Obviously, the block may be enlarged or ensmalled toaccommodate a greater or smaller number of fuses.

Due to the fact that the block has no recesses of reentrant form it maybe easily and conveniently cast or formed from a simple mold. As startedabove, the slots for receiving the conductor strips, while presenting anapparent reentrant form, is actually not reentrant because theprojections 42 are removed from the plane of the central portion of theblock and are spaced from the edges thereof. Similarly, the projections47 are removed from the plane of the central portion and overlieopenings which extend through the block. These openings occur betweenthe cavities 25 of the elements 22, 23 and 24 and between the strip likemembers 40.

I claim:

1. In a fuse holder for receiving a plurality of fuse retainers whereineach fuse retainer receives a fuse and has a spring therein urging itsfuse outwardly of the retainer and each retainer has securing meansthereon, the combination comprising an integral fuse block of dielectricmaterial having a central portion lying substantially in a single plane,a plurality of housing portions projecting from one side of the centralportion and having spaced cavities therein extending entirely throughthe fuse block, the axes of said cavities being generally parallel,integral securing means on the outer end of each said cavity forcooperating with the securing means of a fuse retainer, a plurality ofspaced strip like portions projecting from the opposite side of thecentral portion, said strip like portions extending beyond the peripheryof the central portion, said strip like portions having laterallyextending projections spaced from the central portion and positionedbeyond the periphery of the central portion to form apparent re-entrantslots, and a plurality of metal conductor strips positioned in theapparent reentrant slots and extending across the inner ends of saidcavities.

2. The combination set forth in claiml wherein said fuse block hasopenings extending therethrough located between the spaced housingportions and the spaced strip like portions, said strip like portionshaving additional laterally extending projections projecting over saidlatter openings and contributing to the apparent re-entrant slots.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein each said metalconductor strip has projections on the end thereof for engaging saidprojections on said strip like portions which are beyond the peripheryof the central portion of the fuse block.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said strip is providedwith a plurality of apertures therein, each said aperture being inalignment with the axis of a cavity, and a depression formed in saidstrip around the periphery of each said aperture and adjacent eachcavity.

5. In a fuse holder for receiving a plurality of fuse retainers whereineach fuse retainer receives a fuse and has a spring therein urging itsfuse outwardly of the retainer and each retainer has securing meansthereon, the combination comprising an integral fuse block of dielectricmaterial having a central portion lying substantially in a single plane,a plurality of elongated housing portions projecting from one side ofthe central portion, each said housing portion having spaced cavitiestherein extending entirely through the fuse block, the axes of saidcavities being generally parallel, integral securing means on the outerend of each said cavity for cooperating with the securing means of afuse retainer, a plurality of spaced strip like portions projecting fromthe opposite side of the central portion and extending transversely ofthe housing portions, said strip like portions extending beyond theperiphery of the central portion, said strip like portions havinglaterally extending projections spaced from the central portion andpositioned beyond the periphery of the central portion to form apparentre-entrant slots, a plurality of metal conductor strips positioned inthe apparent re-entrant slots and extending across the inner ends ofsaid cavities, and a connector strip mounted on said block and extendingtransversely between some of said conductor strips to provide anelectrical connection therebetween.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein some of said strip likeportions are interrupted to provide a passageway, said electricalconnector strip being disposed in said passageway.

7. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said fuse block hasopenings extending therethrough located between the spaced housingportions and the spaced strip like portions, said strip like portionshaving additional laterally extending projections projecting over saidlatter openings and contributing to the apparent re-entrant slots.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,916,489 Reichrnann July 4, 1933 2,724,557 Pettit Nov. 22, 19552,724,812 Johnson Nov. 22, 1955 2,740,017 Luce Mar. 27, 1956 FOREIGNPATENTS 540,268 France Apr. 14, 1922

